Trump administration cancels 85,000 visas in second term, 'record high'

Fox News Digital, citing a State Department official, reported on the 9th (local time) that the Donald Trump administration has canceled a record-high 85,000 visas as it tightens entry screenings and immigration enforcement.

According to Fox News, about 8,000 of the canceled visas were for students, more than double last year's number of student visa cancellations.

A State Department official said, "These are people who pose a direct threat to the safety of our communities," and "We do not want them in our country."

He explained that reasons for visa cancellations included DUI, assault, and theft, and that nearly half of the visa cancellations over the past year were for such crimes.

The Trump administration has stepped up screening of certain types of visa applicants in recent weeks. Recent reports said it directed consular officers to refuse visas to H-1B applicants who have participated in "censorship or attempts at censorship" of "protected speech" under the U.S. Constitution.

Last week the Trump administration also suspended processing of immigration applications from immigrants from 19 countries subject to full or partial entry restrictions. President Trump designated those 19 countries as subject to full or partial entry restrictions in a proclamation in June.

According to Fox News, the State Department last week announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals accused of organizing religious violence in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world, citing a recent series of anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria.

The State Department also said last week it revoked visas and imposed travel restrictions on six Mexican airline employees and their immediate family members, alleging that they and their company systematically assisted illegal entry into the U.S. and provided forged documents.

Jeong-sam Ko, Hankyung.com reporter jsk@hankyung.com